Hydraulic loader



Nov. 25, 1952 c. T. CRAMPTON ET AL HYDRAULIC LOADER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed NOV. 19, 1945 fax 2:722:07; CA RL 7. CRAMPTON ELMEA L. MILLER Nov.25, 1952 c. T. CRAMPTON ETAL 2,619,242

, HYDRAULIC LOADER Filed Nov. 19, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J 512/40 42 /aaL111 .v I I 4 fJ ZZ EHZZJFE 50 CARL T CRAMPTON ELMER L MILLER 1952 c. T.CRAMPTON ETAL ,619, 2

HYDRAULIC LOADER I Filed Nov. 19, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ELMER L MILLERzzkd w Nov. 25, 1952 c. T. CRAMPTON ElAL HYDRAULIC LOADER Filed Nov. 19,1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m es JHVEHTUJ-E CA RL 7 CRAMPTON ELMEI? L MILLERPatented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC LOADER CarlT. Crampton and Elmer L. Miller, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a loader of the type now commonly used onfarms for general loading purposes, and more particularly to a loaderthat can be readily applied to a farm tractor.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved loader which maybe economically manufactured from pipe and may be very easily applied toexisting farm tractors without any changes in the tractor proper.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and improvedmechanism for discharging the contents of the so-called sweep, rake,fork, bucket or the like, of a loader.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a loader wherein ahaybuck or fork may be interchangeably used with a sweep or bucket, andwherein, irrespective of the type of sweep used, the same lifting andunloading mechanism can be employed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a highly simple andinexpensive loader which may be supplied at very low cost to farmers forgeneral loading purposes such as for use in connection with the cropsthemselves or the handling of packages or boxes.

In accordance with the general features of this invention there isprovided in a loading structure, an upright tubular frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by the frame, a sweep onthe free end of the boom having a slidable back movable forward todislodge the contents of the sweep, and a second set of telescopingtubes between the frame and sweep back for moving the back forward.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of noveltyarranged means for pumping a hydraulic liquid from the frame selectivelythrough the tubes of the loader for swinging the sweep upward anddownward and for moving the sweep-back forward when it is desired tounload the sweep.

Still other features of the invention relate to the construction of theframe and the provision thereon of clamping plates for enabling theloader to be clamped to the axle of a tractor, as well as the use of ahydraulic pump so located that it can be driven by the usual powertake-off at the rear of the tractor.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear fromthe following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof andin which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tractor showing our novel loader appliedthereto, and illustrating by dotted lines how the booms can be extendedto swing the buck or hayfork upwardly;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of the loadermechanism shown in Figure 1 with the tractor omitted;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end view of the loader shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the bucket or sweepshown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the bucket shown inFigure 4., and illustrated by dotted lines how the back of the bucket orsweep can be propelled forwardly to discharge the contents of the sweep;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 4 lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows and drawn on a reduced scale;

Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary views similar to Figures 4 and 5 butshowing a modified form of load receiving device which is shown in theform of a hayfork or buck; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through the tubes of one of themain booms illustrating one type of arrangement that may be employed inthe extension of the boom in response to hydraulic pressure.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference character I0 designates generally a conventional farm typeof tractor which includes a prime mover I I, large motor driven rearwheels 12 and a central front steering wheel I3. The steering wheel I3may be either a double or single wheel, but, as is well known in thetractor art, it is mounted directly under the prime mover I I. At therear of the prime mover I I is located, as is customary,.a driversstation, including a seat I4 located above a rear axle I5. It iscustomary in tractors of this type to have a power take-off directlybelow the seat I4 and we utilize that take off in this invention foroperating a hydraulic pump designated generally by the referencecharacter I6 in Figure 1.

We also propose to mount our loader on and to support it principallyfrom the axle I5.

The loader includes an upright rectangular frame designated generally bythe reference char acter 20 and which is made of parallel vertical pipesor tubes 2 I2I and parallel horizontal connecting pipes or tubes 22-22(Fig. 2). V

The upper tube 22 may be provided with a removable plug 23 which, uponremoval, will enable the hydraulic fluid to be introduced into thetubular frame 26. We preferably fill this frame up with hydraulic liquidor oil to a level slightly below the upper horizontal pipe or tube 22(Figure 3).

The ends of the horizontal tubes 22 are, of course, closed so that therectangular frame 23 in reality acts as a reservoir for receiving thefluid to be used in operating the booms and rams employed in connectionwith the manipulation of the sweep or bucket.

Each of the vertical frame tubes 2| has adjustably secured to it aclamping sleeve 24 which carries a clampin plate 25 adapted to beclamped by means of bolts 26, as shown in Figure 1, to a plate 21 on anopposite side of the axle l5. Thus, the loader of our invention may bevery easily and quickly attached to or removed from the tractor axle l5The vertical position of the loader relative to the axle may be adjustedby adjusting the position of the two clamping sleeves 24-24 on the twotubes 2|2|. It will be noted from Figures 1 and 3 that the sleeve 24comprises a split tube with flanges adapted to be secured together bybolts 28. This is a conventional type of pipe clamp.

Suitably fastened, as by means of welding or the like, to the lowerhorizontal tube 22 are a pair of spaced journaled sleeves 29-29 (Figure2) in which is journaled a pipe 30. The pipe 33 extends parallel to theframe tube 22 and has its ends integrally connected with parallel tubeassemblies 3 |--3| which comprise the inner telescoping tubes 3| of apair of parallel booms 32. These booms by reason of their beingconnected by the common tube 30 are adapted to swing about the axis ofthe two bearing sleeves 29-29.

The booms 32 are disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle between theprime mover II and the rear wheels |2. Thus the loader does not increasethe overall width of the tractor but is within the normal confines ofthe tractor area.

Each of the booms 32, in addition to includin the inner tube 3|,includes an outer tube or pipe 33, which, as best shown in Figure 5, isadapted to telescope a tube 34 comprising part of the bottom of thesweep or bucket 35. (Figures 4 and 5). The tube 33 may be adjustablylocked to tube 34 by any suitable means as by a set screw 34 This willbe described more in detail hereinafter.

The forward ends of the two tubes 33-33 are connected by a transversetube 36 to the rear of the bucket or sweep 35, and to which arepivotally connected the lower ends of a pair of radius or strut bars3'|3'|. The upper ends of these rods are pivotally supported (as shownin Figure 3) on the upper horizontal tube of the frame 23. It will benoted that there is one of these tubular rods 31 on each side of theprime mover H, and it is these radius rods which cause the booms 3?. tobe extended when the sweep or bucket is swung from the lower positionshown in Figure l to the dotted line upper position shown in the samefigure.

In addition, the horizontal frame tube 22 has secured to it the upperends of a pair of reinforcing tubes 3838 (Fig. 1). The lower ends ofthese reinforcing rods or tubes 38 are attached at 39 to the sides ofthe prime mover H. This provides a very rigid and firm way of holdingthe frame 20 in a vertical position. In other words, while the weight ofthe frame 23 is carried directly on the axle l5 the rods 38 serve to pijevent swinging of the frame relative to the axle Positioned onopposite sides of the tractor and parallel to the booms 32 but above. tm r a pair of parallel rams 40 for actuating the back 4| of the sweep orscoop 35.

Each of these rams 40 includes an outer pipe or tube 42 and an inner ortelescoping tube 43 for delivering hydraulic fluid into the pipe 42 andagainst its outermost end at 45 (Figure 5) to move the back 4| of thesweep or scoop forwardly.

Each outer tube 42 has suitably secured to it a sleeve or guide 46(Figure 1) through which the corresponding boom 32 extends so that theram is supported by the associated boom. Similarly an end of the boom 32carries an integral tubular guide 41 through which an end of the outerram tube 42 extends. Thus on each side of the tractor the ram and boomtubes are so interrelated that they cooperate to assist in supportingeach other.

Each of the inner ram tubes 43 is connected by a pipe line including aflexible hose 50 (Fig ures 1 and 2) to a common pipe 5| disposedparallel to and to the rear of the tubular frame 20. This pipe 5|, asbest shown in Figure 2, is connected at an intermediate point by a pipeconnection 52 to a parallel pipe 53, one end of which is connected by aflexible pipe line 54 to the inlet side of the pump l6, and the otherend of which is connected by a flexible pipe line 55 to the dischargeside of the pump I6.

It will be noted that on end of the pipe 53 is connected by a pipeconnection 56 to the bottom tube 22 of the frame 20 so that hydraulicliquid or oil may be delivered from the reservoir comprising the frame20 to the pump l6 through the flexible pipe line 54 when a valve 51 inthe pipe line 53 is closed.

It should also be noted that an end of the pipe 53 connected to thedischarge flexible pipe line 55 by a T-shaped three-way valve connection 58 through which oil can be pumped to operate the booms. The valve58, which may be a three-way valve, has one of its outlets connected bya pipe line 59, including a flexible hose B9, to the tube 30 which iscommon to both the booms so that oil can be delivered into both boomsfrom the tube 33. Each of the valves 51 and 58 may be provided withelongated handles GI and 62 for operating the same, as shown in Figures1 and 3, and which are accessible to the driver when he is sitting onthe seat I4.

Before proceeding with the description of the operation of the machine,we will conclude the description of the sweep or scoop. (Figs. 4 and 5.)It should be noted that the guide tubes 34 comprise integral extremitiesof a common plate 35. These tubes may be welded to the ends of theplate. The plate may have in turn secured to it on its underside aplurality of spaced forks 63. The end forks may have secured to them, asby welding, side plates lit-61. Also, if it is so desired, a plate 68may be welded to the forward ends of the forks in advance of the plateas shown in Figure 4.

Thus all the parts of the sweep or scoop 35, with the exception of theback plate 4|, are integrally joined or welded together. As shown inFigure 6 the back plate 4| may have its corners notched out at 69 so asto slide the over curved surfaces of the two end tubes 3434.

The back plate 4| also has secured to it a pair of spaced cups 10 ineach of which an end of a ram tube 42 is tightly secured at 45. The endsof the ram tubes at 45 may be suitably closed or capped so that thefluid forced therein by the pump IE. will not leak out of the connectionbetween the ram and back plate 4|.

When the valves 5'! and 58 are properly manipulated so that hydraulicfluid is pumped from the pump I6 into the two rams 4040, the outer tubes42 of the rams are moved forward thus pushing the back plate 4| from thefull line position shown in Figure 5 to the dotted line position.

We find it desirable to provide mechanical means for returning the backplate 4| after each unloading operation. This mechanism comprises an armI2 pivotally mounted on the pipe 36 and having its free end connected bya wire or chain I3 to the back plate assembly 4|. A coil spring I4 isdisposed around the tube 36 and has one end anchored at I5 to the tube36; the other end is anchored at 76 to the pivotal arm I2 (Figures 4 and5).

This arrangement is such that upon forward movement of the sweep-back 4|to discharge the contents of the sweep or scoop, the arm I2 is pulled tothe dotted line position shown in-Figure 5 thus tightening the coilspring I4 whereby upon release of the hydraulic pressure, the springbecomes efieotive through the arm I2 to return the sweep-back 4| fromthe dotted line position shown in Figure 5 to the full line position.

It will be appreciated that there are many other mechanical devices thatcould be used for this purpose although the one we have disclosed hereinis a relatively cheap one to manufacture.

Each of the pair of tubes 33 is provided with a stop or abutment I8 forlimiting the movement of the back 4| to its normal position, which isshown in Figure 5 in full lines. Each of the pair of tubes 33 is alsoprovided with a stop or abutment I9 extending into the interior of thetube, the purpose of which will now be described in connection withFigure 9.

Each of the boom assemblies 32 includes, as we have noted before, aninner tube assembly 3| and an outer tube 33 (Figure 9). When thetelescoping tubes of the boom are not relatively extended the outer tube33 has a gland 80 abutting an end or shoulder 8| of the inner tubeassembly 3|. It should be noted that the inner tube 3| of each boom hasintegral with it an inner tube 3| which extends in outer boom tube 33.

When fluid, however, is delivered through the tube into the interior ofthe booms that fluid is caused to act upon a floating piston assembly 82inside of the inner tube 3|. This assembly 82 includes the usual bicyclepump type of cup leathers 33 mounted on one end of a rod 84, the otherend, which is provided with a head 85 for striking the abutment I9,extending into the interior of the tube 33. Thus when pressure isapplied to the piston 83 the head 85 presses against the abutment I9thereby forcing the outer tube 33 along the inner tube 3| in a directionaway from the main frame 20. This results in the pushing force beingapplied to the scoop or sweep 35.

Obviously since the forward movement of the sweep is restrained by theradius rods 31, the scoop, of necessity, is forced to swing upwardlywith its load to the dotted line position as shown in Figure 1.

Any suitable piston mechanism can be employed for operating the boomsand arms, although we have found the structure we have disclosed to be asimple and cheap one to manufacture.

In Figures 7 and 8 we have illustrated a modified form of sweep which,instead of being of the scoop type as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is"

of the fork or buck type. In this form of the invention, the bottom ofthe scoop comprises a plurality of forks or prongs I00 joined togetherby a common rod IOI. This rod IOI, as well as a parallel rod I02, may besuitably welded 'to the prongs. Suitably secured to rod I02 are thesockets or tubes 34', in which the ends of the outer tubes 33 of thebooms are socketed. Any suitable means may be provided for locking theend of the boom tube to the socket 34', such as a set screw 90.

The haybuck I00 also has a slidable back I05 which is mounted on ram rodtubes 42 to be reciprocable therewith in the same manner as is true inthe case of the back 4| of the previously described sweep 35.

As in the first form of the invention, a spring urged arm 12 isconnected to the back by means of a cable I3 (Figure 8) for retractingthe back and ram tubes 42 after each sliding operation of the back alongthe forks I00. In addition, the back may, if it is so desired, beprovided with spaced wire stays I|0 connected to sleeves III (Figure 8)adapted to slide along the boom tubes 33 when the back is moved forwardover the forks I00.

In the use of our device the tractor is moved forward so that the sweep,scoop or buck is dug into the material to be lifted and is in thatmanner filled. During this filling operation the buck or sweep, as thecase may be, is in the position shown in Figure 1. The operator thenturns on the pump I6 through any suitable driving connection, closes thevalve 5'! and opens the valve 53 (Figure 2) so as to connect the pumpdischarge pipe line 55 with the pipe line 59. This results in the pumpdirectly forcing fluid or liquid into the interior of tube 30 and intothe tube booms 32. The hydraulic liquid under pressure acts upon thepiston assemblies 82 in each of the booms and causes the outer boomtubes 33 to exert a pressure against the sweep or buck for thus swingingit up to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the are of movement of the sweepor buck is determined by the radius rods 31 which causes the buck orsweep to move upwardly. During this upward movement the outer boom tubes33 are extended outwardly over the inner tubes 3|, as shown by thedotted lines in Figure 1. Similarly in the case of the rams 40 the outertubes 42 are extended outwardly over the inner tubes 43 as shown by thedotted lines.

Now, when it is desired to eject the contents of the sweep or buck, theoperator manipulates the valve 58 to place the discharge pipe line 55 incommunication with the pipe 53 which delivers fluid to the pipe 5| incommunication with the two sets of ram tubes 4040. In this condition thevalve 51 must be closed so that the fluid will not be pumped back intothe reservoir frame 20.

After the back of the sweep has been moved forward to eject the contentsof the sweep or buck, the operator manipulates the valve 51 so that thepressure is relieved and the fluid that is being pumped is then pumpedback into the reservoir rather than into the booms or rams. Thereafter,the energy stored up behind the spring arm I2 of the sweep or hornfunctions to return the back of the swee 'to its original positionpushing the liquid back into the reservoir.

Similarly, the weight of the booms and the sweep causes the sweep to bemoved downwardly; this weight also acting to push the liquid in theextended boom back into the reservoir frame 20 and thus restoring thebooms to their original telescoping relationship.

As noted before, the sweep may be in th form of a scoop 35 or in theform of a haybuck lill). These two devices are interchangeable in ourloader assembly.

The principal parts of our leader may be made from conventional pipe towhich other parts that are to make up the assembly may be easily weldedand interfitted therewith. Ends of the pipe may be suitably closed orplugged where same is necessary.

Another feature of our invention, as will be noted from Figure 1,relates to the fact that the device, when the sweep is in its lowermostposition, can be easily moved with the tractor into the barn since itdoes not project very high above the tractor, as is the case with manyexisting loading devices. In fact, the arrangement of the loader withrespect to the tractor is such that it occupies very little space overand above that normally occupied by the tractor.

The compactness of the loader together with the ram action makes itpossible for a farmer to load manure directly into the spreader andright in the cattle shed.

When used in the field, the loader lifts shocks of grain smoothly andtakes them to the thresher with no damage to the heads.

The frame and the relation of the booms and rams with respect theretoenables a correctly balanced loader with a proper distribution ofweight. This arrangement is such that it does away with the possibilityof the tractor tipping under heavy loads.

Moreover, by using an electrically welded steel tube frame in the loaderwe eliminate the hazards of the parts and bolts working loose. This isimportant in the rough use to which devices of this character are put onfarms and the like.

In the accompanying claims we have used the term sweep in a genericsense to refer to either a bucket, a scoop, a horn, a hay fork, rake orother similar loading device.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a loading and stacking structure an upright frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by said frame, a strutpivotally connected to an upper portion of said frame and to the forwardportion of said boom, a sweep on the free end of the boom having aslidable back movable forward to dislodge the contents of the same, aram comprising a second set of telescoping tubes between said frame andsaid back for moving the back forward to discharge the contents of thesweep, said frame comprising interconnected tubes formed to define areservoir for a hydraulic medium, and means for pumping the hydraulicmedium selectively through said tubes for swinging the sweep upwardlyand moving the sweep-back forward when it is desired to unload the same,said means including a floating piston in the tubes of the boomengageable upon being impelled by the pumped liquid with an abutment onone of the tubes of the boom for carrying that tube forward to elevatethe sweep.

2. In a loading and stacking structure an upright frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by said frame, a strutpivotally connected to an upper portion of said frame and to the forwardportion of said boom, a sweep on the free end of the boom having aslidable back movable forward to dislodge the contents of the sweep, aram comprising a second set of telescoping tubes between said frame andsaid back relatively extendable by hydraulic pressure for moving theback forward to discharge the contents of the sweep, said sweep-backhaving connected to it a spring in which energy is stored up when theback is moved forward whereby upon release of hydraulic pressure on saidback said spring will return said back to its initial position and atthe same time restore the telescoping ram tubes to their originalrelative positions.

3. In a loading and stacking structure, an upright frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by said frame, a sweep onthe free end of the boom having a slidable back movable forward todislodge the contents of the sweep, a strut pivotally connected to saidframe and secured to said sweep, a ram comprising a second set oftelescoping tubes between said frame and said back relatively extendableby hydraulic pressure for moving the back forward to discharge thecontents of the sweep, said sweep-back having connected to it means inwhich energy is stored up when the back moves forward whereby by releaseof hydraulic pressure on said back said means will return said back toinitial position and at the same time restore the telescoping ram to itsoriginal relative position.

4. In a loading and stacking structure an upright frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by said frame, a sweep onthe free end of the boom having a slidable back movable forward todislodge the contents of the sweep, a strut pivotally connected to saidframe and secured to said sweep, a ram comprising a second set oftelescoping tubes between said frame and said back relatively extendableby hydraulic pressure for moving the back forward to discharge thecontents of the sweep, said sweep-back having connected to it aresilient means in which energy is stored up when the back is movedforward whereby by release of hydraulic pressure on said back saidresilient means will restore said back to its initial position and atthe same time restore the telescoping ram to its original relativeposition.

5. In a loading and stacking structure, an upright frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by said frame, a sweep onthe free end of said boom having a slidable back movable forward todislodge the contents of the same, a strut pivotally connected to saidframe and secured to said sweep, a ram including tubular means actuatedby hydraulic pressure for moving the back forwardly to discharge thecontents of the sweep, said frame having a reservoir for hydraulicmedium, means for pumping the hydraulic medium selectively through saidtubes and said tubular means for swinging the sweep upwardly and movingthe sweep-back forward when it is desired to unload the same, and meansincluding a floating piston in the tubes of the boom engageable uponbeing impelled by the pumped liquid with an abutment on one of the tubesof the boom for carrying that tube forward to elevate the sweep.

6. In a loading and stacking structure an upright frame, a boomcomprising telescoping tubes pivotally carried by said frame, a sweep onthe free end of the boom having a back member mov- 9 able relative tothe bottom plate of said sweep to dislodge the contents of the same, astrut pivotally connected to said frame and secured to said sweep, a ramcomprising a second set of telescoping tubes between said frame and saidback for causing relative movement of the back and the bottom plate todischarge the contents of the sweep, said frame comprisinginterconnected tubes formed to define a reservoir for hydraulic medium,means for pumping the hydraulic medium selectively through said tubesfor swinging the sweep upwardly and causing relative movement of theback and bottom plate of the sweep when it is desired to unload same,and means including a floating piston in the tubes of the boomsengageable upon being impelled by the pumped liquid with an abutment onone of the tubes of the boom for carrying that tube forward to elevatethe sweep.

7. In a loading and stacking structure, a frame, a sweep, a strutpivotally secured to said frame and secured to said sweep, a first pairof tubes, 9. tube connecting the ends of said pair of tubes, meanssecuring said connecting tube to said frame for rotation about its axis,a second pair of tubes telescoping with said first pair of tubes andconnected to said sweep, a reservoir for a hydraulic medium, means forpumping the hydraulic medium into said connecting tube, and piston meansin each of said first pair of tubes actuatable by the hydraulic mediumand connected with the corresponding one of said second 10 pair of tubesfor extending said second pair of tubes to raise said sweep upon pumpingof the hydraulic medium into said connecting tube. CARL T. CRAMPTON.ELMER L. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 105,883 Bailey Aug. 2, 1870443,266 Bell Dec. 23, 1890 704,740 Foglesong July 14, 1912 1,440,910Cole et a1 Jan. 2, 1923 1,572,009 Hansen Feb. 9, 1926 1,669,688Armstrong May 15, 1928 1,692,872 Sloane Nov. 27, 1928 2,079,695Patterson May 11, 1937 2,295,917 Schwan Sept. 15, 1942 2,306,474 TieslauDec. 29, 1942 2,334,374 Austin Nov. 16, 1943 2,348,899 Guignard et a1.May 16, 1944 2,404,154 Williams July 16, 1946 2,409,302 Millikin Oct.15, 1946 2,427,461 Johnson Sept. 16, 1947 2,495,143 Simmonds Jan. 17,1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 118,679 Australia May 7, 1943

